Weather Forecast

Update: Winter storm watch issued for much of the Northland

A winter storm watch is in effect for much of the Northland, including the Twin Ports, from late Sunday night into Monday night as a storm system is forecast to bring heavy snow to parts of the region.

It’s a complex storm system that has been challenging for forecasters, with temperatures expected to hover near freezing and a chance for mixed precipitation. But the National Weather Service reported Saturday that “confidence is increasing that parts of the Northland could see heavy snowfall late Sunday night into Monday night.”

The uncertainty, the Weather Service said, remains regarding the track of the storm and with how quickly the precipitation becomes all snow.

The winter storm watch — covering the area with the best chance at seeing heavy snow — is generally along and south of U.S. Highway 2, and includes Duluth, Superior, Cloquet, Grand Rapids, the Interstate 35 corridor and all of Northwestern Wisconsin. Parts of the North Shore, including Two Harbors, also are in the watch area.

Snow accumulation of 6 to 12 inches or more are possible, the Weather Service said. Two rounds of freezing rain are possible, late Saturday into Sunday morning, and again Sunday night. Total icing of up to one-tenth of an inch is possible, according to the Weather Service.

A wintry mix of precipitation is expected to change over to snow late Sunday night into Monday, with the heaviest snow Monday afternoon and evening when snowfall rates may reach an inch an hour. The precipitation is forecast to gradually end Tuesday.